Re:Monster

A 6/10 rating seems fair for this one. The production values, especially the animation, are at best mediocre. This is particularly evident in the fight scenes, which lack impact, with stiff character movements and unimpressive effects. The biggest problem, though, is the pacing. The story feels sterile and much less engaging than it could be, with too much telling and not enough showing. The leveling system is poorly explained; while it's clear the hero gains new abilities by consuming enemies, the way these abilities are presented feels like a bland list, and during battles, it's hard to tell which skill or combination is being used. The manga handles these aspects much better, offering clearer and more detailed explanations. The anime, on the other hand, often resorts to brief comments. Character development and relationships also suffer. Many characters are complex, and it’s interesting to see how the hero’s harem evolves from basic survival instincts to a mix of biological urges and eventually some romantic feelings. But let’s focus on what Re:Monster does well. Any story where the protagonist isn’t a generic human earns points from me, and starting as a goblin is a unique twist. The main character is likable, engaging, and easy to root for. There are a few other interesting characters, both within and outside his harem. I also enjoy the day-by-day, almost diary-like storytelling approach. The variety of species and the rules governing their evolution are well done, as is the gradual development of the hero’s party and his position in the world. However, I wasn’t thrilled with the later direction of the story, especially the princess transport subplot and the decision to become mercenaries. I would have preferred more focus on building a diverse monster society and interacting with surrounding nations, similar to what Rimuru does. Lastly, the opening song was terrible — one of the worst I’ve heard this season (I skipped it from episode two onward). This show has potential, with several original aspects that make it worth checking out, but for a better experience, I’d recommend the manga, which I’d rate around 7.5/10 based on what I’ve seen. (17.06.2024)